Police investigating latest in a string of robberies in McDowell

Multiple robberies, many involving a weapon, have happened in the past few months, the most recent just this week.

These robberies are leaving residents shaken up, scared and suspicious.

"They dont know who to trust and who they dont no more...you know sometimes it could be family or friends but you know, its getting pitiful right through here. i mean every couple of days there is an incident it seems like." Woodrow Mullins, who lives in McDowell, said.

Now local business owners are left not only wondering if their store will be robbed, but when.

"It's a very scary time for us here in this area because there have been so many incidences and it makes us very leary of leaving our businesses unattended." Patricia Cieslak, a local business owner said.

Owners say they're now not only scared for themselves, but their employees as well. Many of them have gone so far to change the employees schedules to make sure that more than one employee is working at any given time.

One store owner was shocked to hear about Monday night's robbery because her store is right next door and was robbed two days ago.

She says the thieves got away with more than 10 thousand dollars.

Brenda Tackett, another local business owner, says members of the community are in the process of starting a neighborhood watch, hoping to protect other business owners from going through what she did.

None of the suspects involved in the string of McDowell robberies have been caught.

If you have any information on these crimes, call Kentucky State Police in Pikeville.

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